Tombstone or monument.



N0. 688,043. Patented D66. 3, |90l. T. B. WHITE.

TOMBSTONEOR MNUMENT.

(Application led Dec. 28, 1900.| (llo Model.)

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Patented Dec. 3, 190i.

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(Application Med Dec. 28, 1900A (No Model.)

THOMAS BENTON WHITE,

TOMBSTONE O PATENT OEEICE.

OF lVARSAVV, MISSOURI.

R MONUMENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 688,043, dated December 3, 1901. Application filed December 28, 1900. Serial No. 41,343. (No model.)

To all whom z't may concern,.-

Be it known that I, THOMAS BENTON WHITE, a citizen ofthe United States,residing at Warsaw, in the county of Benton and State of Missouri, have invented a certain new and useful Tombstone or Monument, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to tombstones or monuments, and the chief aim of the invention is to produce a metallic tombstone, monument, or similar outdoor structure subject to exposure to the elements with provision for 'expansion or contraction of the metal to avoid fracture.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide an article of the character referred to which is portable and the parts of which may be readily carried from place to place and readily set up at the desired point and which when complete will last for a greater length of time than the ordinary tombstones and monuments, in that the article is not liable to crack and chip off, and is thus maintained and preserved in perfect condition.

The structure embodies an outer metallic casing combined with an inner metallic casing or core with an interposed composite iilling and means for permittinga circulation of air for the purpose of equalizing the temperature and for allowing for expansion or contraction of the metallic parts without danger of fracture.

The detailed objects and advantages of the invention will appear more fully in the course of the ensuing description.

The invention consists in certain novel features and details of construction and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the drawings, and incorporated in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tombstone or monument constructed in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical central section through the same. Fig. 3 is a horizontal cross-section taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a vertical central section taken diagonally or on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a horizontal cross-section taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a detail perspective View of one of the spacers. Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view of the upper portion of the hollow metallic core, showing also the cap of the core. Fig. S is a detail perspective view of one of the base-formers.

Similar numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawings.

The tombstone or monument contemplated in this invention comprises an outer casing or shell l, which may be either cast or formed from heavy sheet metal, such as zinc, dac. The shape of the outer casing will be governed by the desire or taste of the manufacturer and may, for example, be either square, oblong, or`pyramidal, the casing 1 preferably terminating at the top in a pyrainidal outer cap 2 and having an expanded base portion 3, connected with the main body or shaft l by an inclined portion or shoulder LL. The meeting edges of the material from which the casing is formed will be united by a composition solder or in any other approved manner, so as to secure an air-tight joint of the necessary strength.

Within the casing 1 is arranged a hollow metallic core 5, which is centered or positioned relatively to the casing l by means of a plurality of spacers 6, each consisting of a strip or plate of metal bent centrally on a longitudinal line to form a cross-sectionally V-shaped portion 7 and bent on other lines at each side thereof and parallel thereto to form vsubstantially parallel flanges 8, the edges of which are adapted to bear and rest against the outer surface of the core 5. The spacers of the form shown in Fig. 6 and the other figures of the drawings are especially designed to be fitted into the corners of a cross-sectionally square or rectangular casing, as illustrated in Fig. 3, wherein the edges of the flanges 8 are shown resting against the core 5, while the outer corners or angles 9 bear against the inner surface of the casing l.

The spacers 6 relatively position the casing and core and provide intervening spaces adapted to receive a composite filling, as shown at l0, the flanges 8 serving to confine the composite filling between the several spacers, as shown at Fig. 3, and prevent the filling while in a plastic condition from gaining admission to the spaces occupied by the said spacers. The corners of the structure are thus left vacant and each of the spacers is provided with a number of apertures 11, arranged about opposite other apertures in the core, thus providing for a free circulation of airbetween the space within the outer casing and the interior of the core as well as the air-spaces within the spacing-strips 6. Air may enter the interior of the structure beneath the lower edge of the casing or beneath the inscription or ornamental tablet shown in Fig. 1 or at any other point which will not admit water, dac.

Connected to the top of the core 5 is a corecap 13, consisting of a plate shaped to conform to the top ot' the monument and provided with upturned lips 14, adapted to bear against the roof or cap 2 ofthe monument and having their opposite edges reversely beveled, as at 15, to conform to the shape of the outer cap 2. Immediately under the cap 13 the core is provided with openings 1G for the purpose of allowing a small body of composite filling 17 within the upper end of the core to combine and unite with the filling 10 on the outside of the core, thereby forming a bond between the two portions of the filling and securely anchoring and positioning the core.

The lower end of the core is closed when introducing the composite filling by means of a stopper 18, consisting of a plate of metal or other suitable material corresponding in outline to the lower end of the core and adapted to rest against the edge of the core when the structure is inverted, the said stopper being securely held in place by means of a retainer 1f), comprising a series of yielding springarms connected to the central portion of the stopper and adapted to bear at their ends against the inner surface of the core. In the drawings the core is shown as cylindrical in shape, but it may be of any desired crosssectional contour.

To prevent the composite filling from entering the channels or spaces within the spacingstrips (i, base-formels 2U are provided, each of which consists of a plate portion 21, adapted to extend diagonally across the corner of the base of the structure, as shown in Fig. 5, and exclude the composite filling from the corners of the base. Each former also comprises an extension 22, extending approximately at right angles to the plate 20 and having its edge concaved, as at 23, and adapted to bear against and conform to the shape of the outer surface of the core 5, thus closing the lower end of the adjacent spacer 6 and preventing the filling from getting in between the spacer and the opposing surface of the core. There the outer casing 1 is provided with the inclined shoulder 4f, each former is correspondingly provided with an inclined connecting portion 2t, joining the plate 2O and extension 22 and adapted to rest in contact with the inner surface of the part 4, referred to.

The structure hereinabove described is preferably associated with and mounted upon an artificial-stone or cement foundation piece or block of granite, (indicated at 25,) and such stone or block is centrally cut out to form a cavity 2G, which prior to the placing of the structure thereon is filled with the same composition as the base portion of the monument. After the base-tilling 27 has been introduced the structure is inverted and set right side up upon the foundation 25, whereupon the composite filling within the base and cavity will combine and unite, thus forming a securing bond and anchorage between the structure and the foundation piece or block 25 in a manner which will be readily understood.

The tombstone or monument hereinabove described is very light as compared with the ordinary stone or marble shafts, and by leaving out the composite lling the dilferent parts ofthe structure may be readily shipped to any distance with little or no danger of breaking. The parts may easily be assembled at the place of mounting and the cement filling introduced by inverting or partially overturning the structure. The object of the composite filling is to strengthen the monument, impart thereto the necessary weight, and obviate any hollow or metallic sounds or resonant qualities. The object in allowing the corners and other portions of the structure to be vacant is to prevent the metallic parts of the structure from cracking or bursting as a result of the contraction or expansion of the metal due to sudden changes in the temperature.

Having thus described the invention, what I desire to secure by Letters Patent is* 1. In a monument, the combination of a casin g, a core, and interposed spacers inserted and held permanently between the core and casing for relatively positioning the same so as to leave an intervening space, and a composite filling within a portion of said space.v

2. In a monument, the combination ot' a casing, a hollow core having ventilation-apertures, interposed ventilating-spa'eers arranged opposite said apertures, and a composite filling between the core and casing.

3. In a monument, the combination of a casing, a hollow core, channeled Ventilatingspacers having their air-spaces in communication with the air-space of the core, and a composite filling between the spacers.

4. In a monument, the combination of a casing, a hollow core, and interposed spacers fitted between the core and casing and set apart from each other to leave intervening spaces for a composite filling.

5. In a monument, the combination, with a base, of a casing having a cap, a hollow core, a composite filling between the core and casing, and a core-cap provided with lips to bear against the cap of the casing.

6. In a monument, the combination, witha base, of an inclosing casing, a hollow core therein, and a composite filling between the IOO IIO

core and casing, the Core being provided with passages to admit of a bond formation between the composite filling within and without the core.

7. In a monument, the combination with a base, of a casing having a cap, a hollow core, a core-cap, a stopper for the lower end of the core, and a spring retaining device on the stopper.

8. In a monument, the combination, with a base, of a casing having a cap, a hollow core, a cap for the upper end of said core, a stopper for the lower end of the core, a retaining device on the stopper adapted to engage the inner surface of the core, and a composite filling between the core and casing.

9. In amonument, the combination, with a base, of a casing, a core therein, channeled spacers interposed between the casing and core, a composite lling between the core and casing, and base-formers adapted to seal or close the lower ends of the spacers.

10. In a monument, the combination,with a base, of a casing, a core therein, interposed spacers between the casing and core, a composite illin g between the core and easing, and

base-formels having extensions adapted to bear against the core and form stops for the composite filling.

11. In amonument, the coinbination,witl1 a base, of a casing, a hollow core therein, interposed spacers between the casing and core, a composite filling between the core and casing, and base-formers having extensions to bear against the core, and portions connecting the bodies of the formers and the extensions thereof to provide stop shoulders which bear against the casing.

12. In a monument, the combination,with a base,of a casing, ahollow core therein, spacers interposed between the casing and core, a composite illin g between the core and casing, and base-formers having extensions with concaved ends to conform to and bear against the inner core.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS BENTON VVHI'IE.

Witnesses:

CHAs. R. FRANcIs, A. A. MYERS. 

